Looking To The Sky - Latest Comments

Re: WARNING: Don’t Takeoff With Full Flaps!

Taylor — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:29:15 -0000

My very fist solo, on like my third takeoff, I was so excited to go, I didn't realize I had my flaps all the way down until I was turning onto the runway. After crapping my pants even more because of this, I retracted them and continued on.

Re: Trying Out Hang Gliding

Jason Gill — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 12:23:27 -0000

Yeah, you've never been nearly as much of a jerk like this guy!

I just purchased the 2012 Pilot Test Prep book and will be using it along with some online sites for studying to take my test. I'm going to then get some practice tests done.

I know I've really slacked on this, but it is something I had to get going again on my own time. Life was pretty chaotic this summer and I'm now MAKING the time to do this rather than hoping I'll just do it. I'll keep in touch!

Hope all is going well!

Re: Trying Out Hang Gliding

R Payne — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:13:23 -0000

Well, I am sorry that that ended up being such a disappointing experience. Just an FYI, I have several students that are (or have already) taken their checkride... and passed! You could and should be one of them, upcoming. I hope your experience with hang gliding gets you back in to the plane so we can wrap things up... You're so close!!!

I hope to see you soon,

ps-I may be a jerk from time to time but I promise you will never, EVER, catch me wearing "jorts."

Re: WARNING: Don’t Takeoff With Full Flaps!

Steve — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 16:29:00 -0000

Great post, and I found it specifically because "a friend of mine" did the same thing (though with full flaps). A 172 will take off, at least from a touch and go, with full flaps at a low enough airspeed not to damage the flaps, but performs pretty horribly (the takeoff is more like a ballooning up, not the gentle tug you normally have to do to get it off the ground). It is very similar to doing a go around with the flaps out, where you must apply full power, control the ballooning, and gently ease out the flaps in stages.

From the search results I found, it appears to be a right of passage during solo cross country flight. Just like you, I will certainly never make that mistake again.

I just noticed you're flying around Oregon. Right now I am in the midwest, but in a years time I will be moving back to Oregon, and continuing Instrument and Instructor ratings in Hillsboro. Small world.

Re: WARNING: Don’t Takeoff With Full Flaps!

Nesa K — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 11:58:15 -0000

Excellent story. I like the pictures. Did you also take the pictures Cessna Takeoff and Cessna Flaps?

Re: Taking In The Sunny Weather

Jason Gill — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 16:54:45 -0000

That is awesome. It is still a fun little plane! How did you find out about Looking To The Sky?

Re: Taking In The Sunny Weather

Michael Schuyler — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 19:01:22 -0000

I learned to fly in N66589 in 1976. The plane was then based at Herbert Smartt airport in Macon, Georgia. It was orange and white at the time. I now live on Bainbridge Island, Washington, just north of you.

Re: Soloed at Twin Oaks!

James — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:01:17 -0000

Was great to see you out there again, keep up the good work. I was on the air at the same time as you... Was good hearing those radio calls all the way round. Nicely done!

Re: First Flight To Salem (SLE)

James — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:33:02 -0000

Great stuff. Congrats on the first cross country. Also really good the weather finally gave you the chance to take off up hill and learn more about crosswinds. Well done, and hope all the planning goes well

Re: Cancelled Flight

Ken Scott Eucker — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 23:49:04 -0000

Awww man! I'm sure you mentioned that you had cancelled because of it, but I either missed that part or it slipped my mind.

There's always next time ;).

Re: Cancelled Flight

john_pemberton — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:48:34 -0000

Sorry to hear that you are in pain. I hope you heal up quickly and get back in that plane soon!

Re: Shirt Off My Back

Christina — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 14:08:32 -0000

I'm so proud of you. :) good job!

Re: Taking Off (Video)

Jason Gill — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:05:46 -0000

Thanks for commenting, Ken. Yeah, flying is such a thrill and I'm so glad to be doing it. When I get my license, we'll have to go on up!

Re: Taking Off (Video)

Ken Scott Eucker — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:40:48 -0000

That is sooo awesome Jason! Watching that video gave me a rush, I can't imagine what joy you're having. Good job buddy!

Re: Christina’s First Flight

Chris — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:00:25 -0000

Way to go, both of you!
(BTW - I hear that vertigo is a great aphrodisiac)

Re: Christina’s First Flight

Jason Gill — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:15:49 -0000

Yeah, I guess that did happen. Oh well. Next time, you should comment using your info, not mine! ;)

Re: Christina’s First Flight

Christina — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 19:34:22 -0000

Yay!!! Fear accomplished! Although...You candy coated everything. You forgot to elaborate on the fact that the plane basically STOPPED mid flight and started to descend!!!!!!! :( I was soooo freaked and saw my whole life flash before my eyes! My jacket was over my head! lol. I CANT WAIT TO GO AGAIN! :) It was sooo much fun!

Re: Last Lesson with Emily

Cam Scott — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 01:38:30 -0000

Chris Trappe sent me the link to your blog. You couldn't have picked a better outfit to learn from! Emily is a sweetie and a great CFI. I've known her since she was in diapers (literally). I even drove 200 plus miles the last time I needed a CFI sign off.

Something you might want to try, with controlling the airplane......Have her show you how you can fly it totally hands off with only trim and power. Practice that for an hour and you will be smooth as silk in no time.

The old bald eagle on the other side of the hill.....:D

Re: Last Lesson with Emily

Jason Gill — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 20:21:30 -0000

Good job! It will get better! Its not easy, thats why you are learning!

Re: Practicing Maneuvers

Jason Gill — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:18:49 -0000

Fine, but what is the fun in that?! :)

Re: Clear Blue Skies

Jason Gill — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 03:19:26 -0000

It was a fun weekend! I'm glad you had a good flight!!!

Re: September Begins...I think I'll go fly

Bradlee — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 08:38:46 -0000

Jason....Gill........flying?! ...i think ill go alert Homeland security....

Re: September Begins...I think I'll go fly

Curt — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:53:48 -0000

'Sounds like you got a chance to fly my old fav - 08Y. Or "old blue" as they used to call her. It's been like 15 years since I've flown her but imagine she's still the same old girl.

One thing to note re: 08Y, the elevator bell crank has longer arms then you will find on a later Cessna 172. This translates into lighter pitch control resistance but you you have move the control farther to effect the same degree of pitch as you would in a later model 172.

Re: Weather…please be nice!

Amanda — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:32:36 -0000

Good luck today, I'm sure it will go great!

Re: I have my Aviation Medical Certificate

Jason — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:39:19 -0000

Thanks Chris. I'll let you know how things go when I'm flying to your house!!

P.S. I miss you too.